Ukrainians will not face Russians in Paris qualifiers

In the dispute over the re-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sport, Ukraine has announced a partial boycott. Ukrainian athletes will not be allowed to participate in qualifying competitions for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics if they have to compete against Russian athletes, Cabinet Minister Oleh Nemchinov said.

The government has therefore followed a suggestion by Vadym Huttsait, Minister of Sport and President of the National Olympic Committee. “At a government meeting, at the suggestion of colleague Huttsait, a protocol decision was made that we only take part in qualifying competitions where there are no Russians,” Nemchinov was quoted as saying by Suspilne, Ukraine’s public broadcaster. If Ukrainian sports federations do not follow the decision, they could lose their national status, Nemchinov said.

On Tuesday, the IOC recommended the re-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutral athletes to international competitions. According to the decision of the IOC leadership, athletes from both countries with connections to the military and security organs as well as teams should remain excluded. A decision on allowing Russians and Belarusians to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will only be made at a later date, said IOC President Bach. The IOC decision has been criticized from many quarters.